It is not known when the first European fishermen visited what
is now the eastern Avalon Peninsula. Vague but unproven traditions suggest
that mariners from Bristol may have been visiting the offshore fishing grounds, and perhaps coming
ashore for wood, food and water, before John Cabot's voyage
in 1497.

Whether or not there is a grain of truth to these traditions, it is
clear from even the scant historical record that follows Cabot's voyage
that western European fishermen were quick to exploit the resources reported
by Cabot. Within a decade or so of his voyage,
vessels from Portugal, Spain, the Basque country, France and West Country
England were exploiting the vast cod stocks reported to exist off the coast
of the "New-founde-land."

French Atlantic Fishing Ports.
By the 16th century, France was among several western European countries which were exploiting
Newfoundland's cod stocks through a migratory fishery system.Illustration by Tina Riche, 1997.

Ferryland, with its location as one
of the easternmost points in North America, its conspicuous headland and
excellent harbour, easy access to the inshore fishing grounds and extensive
cobble beaches upon which fish could be dried, may have been one of the earliest ports
visited by migratory fishermen.

Ferryland.
The extensive artificial cobble "beaches" at Ferryland were constructed for drying fish. This painting is a detail
from Stewart Montgomerie's larger panoramic mural.Reproduced by permission of the Colony Café. Painting by Stewart Montgomerie, 1997.
Original housed in the Colony Café, "The Pool", Ferryland. The painting can be viewed during
regular business hours. (33 kb)

English participation was limited until the mid-16th century, but beginning
about 1560 English participation in
the migratory fishery increased rapidly, and they soon became the dominant
fishing presence on what was to become the "English Shore."

Map of the English Shore during the 17th Century.
Beginning in the 1500s, English involvement in the migratory fishery increased dramatically. By the
mid-17th century they dominated a section of the south-east coast of Newfoundland which became
known as the "English Shore."Illustration by Duleepa Wijayawardhana, 1998.

Traditionally, the master of the first English ship to arrive at a particular
port became the fishing admiral, a sort of unofficial governor
of that port for the coming fishing season. Thus William Sayre was admiral
of Ferryland during the summer of 1597. Reminders of the days of the fishing
admirals exist in the many place names  Admiral's Cove, Admiral's Point
and so forth  that can be traced to the presettlement period.

At Ferryland, the fishing admiral period may have ceased with the first
permanent settlement in 1621, but migratory fishermen continued to visit
the harbour throughout the 17th century.

Salt Shovel.
A beechwood shovel used in the migratory fishery to spread salt over
dressed fish. Found at the Ferryland archaeology site, it may have come
from one of the 17th-century vessels sunk in the harbour. Although the
shovel's precise date is uncertain, it falls somewhere between 1600
and 1800.Courtesy of the Archaeological Unit, Memorial University
of Newfoundland, St. John's, Newfoundland.
with more information (9 kb)